23 May
2000
23 May
'00
4:45 p.m.
This is what I meant exactly - no bi-directional data
bus. I'm guessing that
there is a fine distinction between dual-ported and separate input and
output busses...
Specifically, a true dual-ported RAM chip has separate address busses and
control signals/strobes (*RD and *WR, or *CS and R/*W, or the like) for
each port.
Dual-port RAM chips tend to be expensive and not very high-density, so
they aren't commonly found in commodity computer hardware. It's usually
more cost-effective to time-multiplex a single port.
Current manufacturers of dual-port RAM chips include Cypress and IDT.
There are even some quad-port RAM chips now.